Abstract : Food consumption has become the subject of many prescriptions that aim to improve
consumers’ health and protect the environment. This study examined recent changes in
food practices that occurred in response to prescriptions. Based on practice theories,
we assume that links that connect practices with prescriptions result from evolving
social interactions. Consistent with the life-course perspective, we focus on distinctions
between public prescriptions and standards that individuals consider relevant to their
lives. We rely on quantitative data and the results of qualitative fieldwork conducted in
France. Our results suggest that consumers may change food practices when they reach
turning points in their lives. They may reconsider resources, skills and standards.
Middle- and upper-class individuals are more likely to adopt standards consistent with
public prescriptions. Possible explanations are that they trust expert knowledge
sources, their social networks are less stable and smaller gaps exist between their
standards and prescriptions.